countyscore
63.8
County Score
Safety 93.1Water Quality 86Cost of Living 79.8

County Report Card

About Sharp County, Arkansas

Sharp County outpaces national livability

Sharp County's composite score of 65.6 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top third nationally. This 31% advantage makes it one of the more livable counties in the United States.

Arkansas's top-tier performer

Sharp County's score of 65.6 substantially outpaces Arkansas's state average of 47.9, ranking it among the state's best counties for livability. The county leads peers across multiple dimensions.

Safety, affordability, and water quality excel

Sharp County's safety score of 93.1 is exceptional—among Arkansas's safest counties—and its cost score of 89.3 delivers median rents of just $648/month and homes at $94,600. Water quality also rates excellent at 86.0.

Income and health need investment

Sharp County's income score of 5.2 reflects a median household income of just $42,950, the lowest among these eight counties. Health scores of 25.9 suggest room for improved health infrastructure and outcomes.

Perfect for safety-first, budget families

Sharp County is ideal for families prioritizing safe neighborhoods, affordable housing, and rural stability over high incomes. Those seeking strong public safety with minimal costs will find Sharp County exceptionally appealing.

2040608010077.779.893.125.952.55.331.98657.4Tax77.7Cost79.8Safety93.1Health25.9Schools52.5Income5.3Risk31.9Water86Weather57.463.8/100
This county
National avg
4 above average3 below average

Sharp County DNA

D+overall

How Sharp County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Sharp County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Safety (93.1/100) but notably weak in Income (5.3/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
77.7+25.700000000000003
Cost
79.8+31.799999999999997
Safety
93.1+38.099999999999994
Health
25.9-24.1
Schools
52.5
Income
5.3-45.7
Risk
31.9-15.100000000000001
Water
86+28
Weather
57.4
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Many homeowners in Sharp County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$105,100

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$766/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$105,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$30,640/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $44,637/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

68.2

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

Wright County
Missouri
Median income: $47,909
63.8
Teton County
Montana
Median income: $70,430
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Humboldt County
Iowa
Median income: $71,946
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Smith County
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Median income: $59,135
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Pierce County
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Median income: $72,357
63.7
Ziebach County
South Dakota
Median income: $53,958
63.7
Preston County
West Virginia
Median income: $61,880
63.7
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area
Alaska
Median income: $61,156
63.9

Nearby counties

Fulton County
Arkansas
50.9
Lawrence County
Arkansas
52.5
Randolph County
Arkansas
51.1
Izard County
Arkansas
57
Independence County
Arkansas
44.1
Oregon County
Missouri
60.8
Stone County
Arkansas
59
Jackson County
Arkansas
41.7

Deep Dives

Sharp County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Sharp County

via TaxByCounty

Sharp County taxes rank well below US average

Sharp County's 0.579% effective tax rate falls comfortably below the national median of 0.86%, placing it in the bottom quarter nationally. The median property tax of $548 represents just 20% of the national median of $2,690, reflecting both favorable rates and lower home values.

Slightly above Arkansas average

Sharp County's 0.579% effective rate exceeds Arkansas's state average of 0.532% by less than half a percentage point. Its median property tax of $548 falls below the state median of $705, placing it near the middle of the state's tax landscape.

Moderately taxed in this eight-county region

Sharp County's 0.579% rate and $548 median tax place it in the middle of the eight-county comparison. It taxes slightly higher than Sevier County (0.480%) but lower than Sebastian County (0.651%), despite having the lowest median home value at $94,600.

Expected annual tax on median home

A typical Sharp County homeowner with a $94,600 property pays approximately $548 annually in property taxes. Mortgage holders typically face about $578 annually, while non-mortgage owners pay closer to $517.

Appeal if your assessment seems high

Sharp County residents, like homeowners everywhere, may be sitting on overassessed properties without realizing it. Contact your assessor to request a reassessment—given Sharp County's modest home values, ensuring accurate assessment is especially important for protecting affordability.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Sharp County

via IncomeByCounty

Sharp County faces income headwinds

Sharp County's median household income of $42,950 falls nearly $32,000 below the national median of $74,755, representing a 43 percent gap. The county ranks among the lower-income counties nationally, reflecting rural economic challenges.

Below Arkansas average earnings

At $42,950, Sharp County's median household income trails the Arkansas state average of $51,156 by $8,206. The county represents one of the lower-income communities statewide, with limited employment diversity.

Lowest income in immediate area

Sharp County households earn about $9,700 less than Sevier County ($51,641) and $13,500 less than Sebastian County ($56,450). The county faces the steepest income challenges among its regional peers.

Housing requires careful budgeting

Sharp County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.1 percent remains manageable, though affordability becomes tighter given the lower baseline income. With a median home value of $94,600, homeownership is relatively accessible but demands careful financial planning.

Strategic financial planning essential

Sharp County residents should prioritize debt reduction and consistent savings, even in modest amounts, to build financial resilience. Explore community development programs, small business support, and workforce training to increase earning potential over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Sharp County

via CrimeByCounty

One of America’s Safest Counties

Sharp County boasts an exceptional safety score of 99.9. The total crime rate of 86.1 per 100K is a tiny fraction of the 2,385.5 national average.

Far Above Arkansas Safety Norms

Sharp County's safety score far exceeds the state average of 96.3. Its total crime rate is 96% lower than the Arkansas average of 2,326.8 per 100K.

Setting the Regional Standard

Sharp is significantly safer than neighboring Van Buren County, which reports a crime rate of 1,245.2. It represents the gold standard for security in the Ozark region.

Violent Crime is Nearly Nonexistent

Violent crime is extremely rare at just 11.5 incidents per 100K. Property crime is also remarkably low at 74.6, reflecting a very quiet and secure environment.

Simple Habits Maintain Peace

Residents enjoy great peace of mind but should maintain basic safety habits. Even in very safe areas, motion-sensor lights provide an easy layer of additional protection.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Sharp County

via WeatherByCounty

A Temperate Climate Above National Averages

Sharp County maintains an annual average temperature of 57.7°F, placing it well above the national median. This temperate climate is defined by its balance of four distinct seasons and 51.4 inches of annual precipitation.

Cooler Than the Arkansas Average

Despite being warm by national standards, Sharp County is cooler than the typical Arkansas county. Its 57.7°F average is 3.3 degrees lower than the statewide annual average of 61.0°F.

Comparing North Arkansas Neighbors

Sharp County shares a similar temperature profile with Washington County, which averages 57.8°F. However, it receives 6.7 inches of snow annually, which is more than many of its southern neighbors.

Cold Winters and Steamy Summers

Winters are chilly with a January average of 35.4°F, while summers feature 54 days of extreme heat over 90°F. The county sees a moderate summer average of 76.8°F from June through August.

Planning for Snow and Humidity

Residents should prepare for roughly 7 inches of snow and ensure home heating systems are ready for freezing January nights. During the summer, hydration is key as temperatures frequently exceed 90°F for nearly two months of the year.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Sharp County

via SoilByCounty

Rich Mollisols Characterize Sharp County Soil

Sharp County is distinguished by its Mollisols, a soil order often associated with grasslands and high natural fertility. Its 5.61 pH is more acidic than the national 6.5 benchmark but remains slightly higher than the state average.

Silt Loam Textures Provide Excellent Workability

Dominated by a silt loam texture, the soil contains 39.2% silt and 36.3% sand. This composition ensures the ground is easy to till while the low 13.9% clay content prevents it from becoming too heavy or sticky.

Exceptional Organic Matter Levels

The organic matter content reaches a remarkable 9.24%, more than doubling the Arkansas average of 4.15%. While available water capacity is slightly lower than the state average at 0.122 in/in, the rich organic profile fuels rapid plant growth.

Well Drained Land for Healthy Roots

Most soils here are classified as well drained, allowing water to move through the root zone without causing rot. As part of hydrologic group C, the soil still requires management to prevent surface runoff during intense rain events.

Ozark Foothills Gardening in Zone 7b

The rich Mollisols of zone 7b are ideal for intensive vegetable gardening and diverse forage for livestock. Sharp County residents enjoy some of the highest organic matter levels in the state, giving them a distinct head start.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Sharp County

via LawnByCounty

Navigating Sharp County's Grass Challenges

Sharp County earns a lawn difficulty score of 41.2, making it easier than the state average of 37.3 but tougher than the national median of 50.0. Located in Zone 7b, the county offers a distinct set of challenges for maintaining healthy turf. Success here requires a focus on soil health and drought management.

Temperate Days and Heavy Rainfall

With 54 extreme heat days, Sharp County is cooler than the Arkansas average of 64 days. However, the annual precipitation of 51.4 inches is slightly above the ideal 50-inch limit. This means you will likely spend more time managing drainage and potential fungal growth than in other parts of the state.

Working with Well-Drained Silt Loam

The county features well-drained silt loam soil, which is generally favorable for root development. However, the pH level of 5.61 is acidic and will require lime to reach the ideal 6.0-7.0 range. A balanced blend of 36.3% sand and 13.9% clay provides a stable foundation if properly amended.

Adapting to Persistent Drought

Sharp County is currently in 100% severe drought (D2+), following a year where 31 weeks were spent in drought. This makes smart irrigation and water conservation strategies critical for lawn survival. Consider allowing your grass to go dormant during the worst of the summer to protect the crown.

Optimal Planting Windows in Zone 7b

Tall Fescue and Zoysia are excellent choices for the 7b hardiness zone and its 54 heat days. You should aim to seed after the last spring frost on April 14th to give your grass the best chance to establish. Fall is also a prime time for seeding Fescue to take advantage of cooler temperatures.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sharp County's county score?
Sharp County, Arkansas has a composite county score of 63.8 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Sharp County rank among counties in Arkansas?
Sharp County ranks #4 among all counties in Arkansas on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Sharp County, Arkansas?
The median annual property tax in Sharp County is $584, with an effective tax rate of 0.56%. This earns Sharp County a tax score of 77.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Sharp County?
The median household income in Sharp County, Arkansas is $44,637 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Sharp County earns an income score of 5.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Sharp County, Arkansas a good place to live?
Sharp County scores 63.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #4 in Arkansas. The best way to evaluate Sharp County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Sharp County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.